Wide diversity of colleges provide choices for seniors

February 13, 2012 • Cassie Colon, Staff Writer  
Filed under Feature

With high school ending in less than two quarters for seniors, colleges have been discussed throughout the school. Many colleges in the state of Michigan are favorites to the young teens of Howell High School. All of the schools are different in their own way and attract different students for their own reasons.

One of the top schools that have been on a lot of students minds is Michigan State University. One student in particular has had her eyes set on the school since she was little.

“My mom went there, and I just have always wanted to go there,” says senior Haley Rhoads.

For admission, universities consider a student’s high school academic performance, ACT/SAT scores, and extra-curricular and leadership experiences.

The adjustment from a small conservative town like Howell to a larger city as Lansing can be a difficult one. There are around 2,700 students attending Howell High School and there is an average of around 500 students in lectures at Michigan State.

The feelings towards leaving home are mixed for Rhoads. “I’m excited to be leaving and getting out but I’m also nervous for the lectures and to be living with a new roommate,” says Rhoads.

Other schools that have been the talk around the school are Western Michigan University, Eastern Michigan University, Grand Valley State, and the University of Michigan, as well as local community colleges.

“I’m going to Lansing Community College for my first two years to save money and then my plan is to transfer to Michigan State University,” says senior Alyssa Kurzyniec who plans on studying pre- med.

Senior guidance counselor Ms. Jennifer Starkey shared that the reason why some students decide to choose a community college instead of a university is because of money and the “readiness” of students leaving.

“The amount of money a student can save going to community college is important, as well as how prepared the student is to leaving home and being on their own. Some kids just need the extra year to adjust being away from home,” says Ms. Starkey.

In the graduating class of 2010, the percentage of Howell High School students that went on to a four-year college was 45%, as for students who went to a community college or secondary training school was 30%.

Howell High School offers two college visits a year that gives students an explained school- related absence to see the campus and school. There is also a college night in the fall held at the high school that involves colleges coming in to bring information about the process of planning on going to college and the preparations needed to accomplish.

“College is different for every student. I support all decisions that may best benefit the further education for the kids at Howell High School, whatever the school may be,” says Ms. Starkey.

Tags: college, Michigan, michigan state, school

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